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A young intern found himself unsettled after receiving a strangely worded response from his manager when he asked for a day off due to illness. The incident, which he later described online, left him questioning whether the reply crossed professional boundaries. What should have been a routine exchange instead triggered anxiety and confusion, especially given his vulnerable position as an intern.

The Message That Raised Red Flags

The intern shared screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation on the Indian Workplace subreddit, explaining that he had informed his manager late at night about being unwell and unable to report to duty the next day. While the manager did acknowledge the request, the response also included an unnecessary reminder that the intern’s final assessment and certificate would pass through the department and senior leadership, with detailed notes about his perceived inconsistency. This additional commentary felt excessive and unsettling, particularly when the request was related to health.

Context Behind the Discomfort

The intern, a 21-year-old working in the Indian hospitality sector, explained that he had been experiencing physical strain due to overwork. In that context, the manager’s reply felt less like concern and more like an implied warning. He felt that a straightforward response asking him to rest and provide medical proof would have been sufficient. Instead, the added remarks made him feel intimidated at a moment when he was already physically drained.

A Pattern of Performative Guidance

Adding to his distress, the intern recalled that just a day earlier, the same manager had delivered a motivational talk about mutual respect and guidance. However, during discussions at work, both this manager and another senior reportedly made repeated attempts to undermine his explanations, dismissing his efforts to clarify or defend himself. This contradiction between words and actions left the intern feeling unheard and cornered.

Doubts, Burnout, and Self-Reflection

Having grown up believing that exhaustion does not equate to a lack of drive, the intern struggled to interpret the situation. He wondered whether the message was designed to provoke a reaction or justify terminating his internship, or if he was simply overanalyzing the situation. The central question lingered in his mind: was this an understated abuse of authority?

How Reddit Responded

Other users on the subreddit largely validated his concerns. Several pointed out the passive-aggressive tone of the manager’s message, noting that it appeared intentionally intimidating. Some shared similar internship experiences, advising him not to internalize such behavior. They reassured him that senior leadership rarely scrutinizes interns so closely and suggested that the manager was likely using authority as a scare tactic rather than wielding real power.